Trial of a screening technique of the developmental assessment of infants and young children (6 weeks-2 years)

Indian Pediatr. 1991 Aug;28(8):859-67.

Abstract

Six hundred and nineteen infants and young children from the slums of Jabalpur City were screened by twenty trained paramedical workers using the Woodside Screening Technique. A second screen was given by the author within three days of the first screen on 350 (56.5%) children. The tester/author agreement was 97%. The results of the Woodside Screening Technique were validated against the standard Gesell's Schedules. The specificity and sensitivity rates of 88 and 83%, respectively were better than the original Denver Developmental Screening Test (77% each). Over referral rates which vary between 10-28% were comparable to the original Denver Developmental Screening Test. The under referral rate was 24%. All children tested belonged to the deprived sections of society, having weights below 50th centile of Harvard Standards. Inspite of this 74% of children scored above and at par on the Gesell's Developmental Schedule, only 11% children showing any developmental abnormality. The need to eliminate the cultural bias from the test and draw a new threshold line to separate questionable cases from abnormal ones is highlighted. Recommendations and specific modifications of the Woodside Screening Technique are suggested.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Child Development*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Poverty Areas
  • Urban Population